Location: Wayanad, Kerala
Design Firm: Earthitects
Site Area: 2462 sq. metres
Built-Up Area: 680 sq. metres
Principal Architect: George E. Ramapuram
Design Team: George E. Ramapuram, Irene Ann Koshy, Hetvi Kothwala, Pon Athithyan Muthurajan, Ginelle Gabriella Lopes, Likhitha Shivmay
Photography by: Earthitects
Designed by Bengaluru-based Earthitects, this home in Wayanad, Kerala reflects the firm’s belief in reverse urbanisation or a return to nature and one’s roots. This home is built around the existing natural topography with the intention of causing minimal disruption to the landscape, utilising reclaimed wood, timber from fallen trees and other responsibly sourced materials. “Every aspect of the home sings in harmony with nature, from materiality to ecological impact. Sustainability and innovation form the heart of the project. No fully grown trees are cut on the site of the estate, and the wooden poles used in construction are compensated for with replantation efforts from managed mills,” says George E. Ramapuram, principal architect of the firm.
Aerial view
The villa is spread across three levels with a total built-up area of 680 sq. metres, delicately and in synchrony with the existing hilly terrain of the site. The uppermost and middle levels carry the residential spaces, whereas the lowest level features an outdoor deck and an infinity pool that is surrounded by lily ponds. “Each distinct level steps down by 6 metres from the previous one such that one sees above and beyond the pinnacle of the succeeding level’s roof. Owing to the hilly context, the difference in contour levels needed innovative planning strategies to comprise a luxury villa’s functions.” explains Ramapuram.
View of the three levels
The levels are connected by bridges that subtly blend into the natural surroundings. “The built form of the lodges is choreographed around the existing rocks, trees and site contours. Strategic voids puncture the masses and enable building ‘around’ nature rather than on it,” notes Ramapuram.
Seating area within the bridges that connect different levels
The entrance to the villa leads directly into the uppermost level which houses the living room, dining area, kitchen as well as a master bedroom. With wooden flooring, rubble walls, natural grey cobblestone pathways, and log rafters, the material palette adds to the rustic quality of the space. The ceiling uses whole wooden poles as rafters, instead of slats, adding to the rustic feel of the home.
The living room
The living room
In the living room, rubble walls made from rough, uncut and unpolished stones are juxtaposed against warm wood. With their naturally high thermal mass, the walls provide thermal insulation and help cut down on heating and cooling costs. Also showcased within the space are unique pieces from a bespoke furniture collection curated by Earthitects, utilising construction waste materials and championing local craftsmanship. “Conserving indigenous workmanship is symbolic of protecting cultural heritage, empowerment and encourages us to go back to our roots,’” says Ramapuram. The collection includes pieces such as the Allure armchair made from hand-picked wood and natural fabric, or Bole, a side table and floor lamp made from banana fibre and wood.
Allure armchair and Bole side table within the living room
The kitchen
Dining room
Master bedroom on the uppermost level
A desire to better connect indoor and outdoor spaces reflect throughout the villa. For instance, the outdoor bath is designed to serve as a sanctuary where one can shower beneath the open sky, and is set amidst a courtyard, lush foliage and natural boulders. Eucalyptus poles fixed to the ceiling of the shower area create the imagery of being under the shade of a tree. A black granite wash basin chiselled from natural rock, brass bathroom fixtures, and wooden cabinets with handcrafted knobs further complete the look. “The juxtaposition of brass, wood, and black granite is elegant and reminiscent of colours naturally found in the forest,” notes Ramapuram
The bathroom
The bathroom
The biophilic design language continues through the middle level which has a second living room and two bedrooms, as well as the lowest level which has a gazebo, outdoor dining area, in addition to the infinity pool and deck.
The middle level features a second living room
Outdoor dining area on lowermost level
Pool deck on lowermost level
Lily ponds within the pool area
The gazebo is designed with a roof made of unfinished teak wood rafters and clay tiles, supported by four wooden poles and is framed by lily ponds. The outdoor dining space is crafted with stone slabs and offers spectacular views of the dense valley.
Layout of the villa
Story by Sridevi Nambiar
Read more:
Sunlit and Dotted With Art, This Delhi Farmhouse is Crafted for Slow Living
The Saga of Modern Legacies: An Essay by Shalini Misra
Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The choice of materials and finishes was in keeping with this chromatic landscape. “Through the moodboard we visualized the allure of the space,” explains Pennesi. “An interplay of alternations between more or less tactile surface textures, contrasting colors and opaque and translucent finishes that create intriguing peep-through effects.”
This led to the choice of stoneware tiles by Ceramica Sant’Agostino, which deck the floors and bar counter with their dense and uniform speckled pattern and bind together the different areas into which the space is divided, wth laminates from Arpa Industriale and Kaindl, used respectively for the support surfaces and the structures of the bespoke furnishings.
“We chose these materials for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Aesthetic because this type of semi-finished product has color ranges that enabled us to make choices consistent with the palette we created; and practical because they are wearproof materials and ensure easy sanitization. In particular, Fenix, a special laminate we used to coat the counter top, with a surface that has a non-porous outer layer, makes the material easy to clean and suitable for contact with food as well as fingerprint-proof and pleasant to the touch.”
Even the lighting was curated in detail, helping create a pleasant and richly detailed environment. Bellhop cordless table lamps designed by Barber & Osgerby for Flos, illuminate the tables with their discreet light. Suspended above the bar counter is a spectacular suspension composition created with a series of “leaves” in Diphy polycarbonate. Designed by Mirco Crosatto for Stilnovo, it was inspired by a fascinating Japanese plant, whose flowers turn as transparent as crystal in contact with water.
